Microscope System With Enclosed Transfer Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope systems face challenges in maintaining a sterile and incubated environment for sensitive samples, leading to potential damage during sample transfer and requiring manual handling, which limits throughput and walk-away times.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with an enclosed sample chamber, an enclosed incubation chamber, and a sample carrier transfer unit that automates the movement of sample carriers between storing and examining positions, maintaining a sterile or semi-sterile environment and allowing continuous incubation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a standalone cell culture incubator is used, then temperature and CO2 control is improved, but sample transfer through non-sterile atmosphere causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the incubator and microscope into a single integrated system, allowing the sample chamber to function as both an incubation environment and an observation space. This eliminates the need to physically transfer samples between separate devices, thereby preventing exposure to non-sterile atmosphere and mechanical damage during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealed transfer chamber as an intermediary space between the incubation chamber and external environment. This transfer chamber maintains sterile conditions while enabling sample movement, acting as a protective mediator that prevents direct exposure to non-sterile atmosphere during transfer operations.
2Ease of operation
If automated transfer by robotic arm is used, then sample handling is improved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sample carrier serves multiple functions: it acts as both the culture vessel for incubation and the transfer medium for moving samples between the incubation chamber and microscope stage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate robotic arms and transfer mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated handling capabilities.
3Device complexity
If manual handling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput and walk-away time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service operation where the sample carrier automatically moves between incubation and observation positions without requiring manual intervention. The integrated design allows the system to service itself through automated carrier movement, enabling long walk-away times and high throughput while maintaining relative simplicity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If enclosed microscope sample chamber is used as incubator, then sterility is improved, but sample storage space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two separate enclosed chambers: an incubation chamber with sufficient volume for storing multiple sample carriers, and a microscope sample chamber for observation. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function - the incubation chamber provides ample sterile storage space while the sample chamber maintains observation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes: an enclosed sample chamber for receiving a sample carrier in an examining position in which a sample arranged on the sample carrier is microscopically examinable; an enclosed incubation chamber that is separated from the sample chamber and that receives the sample carrier in at least one storing position; and a sample carrier transfer unit including an enclosed transfer chamber that is connected to the sample chamber by a first opening, and to the incubation chamber by a second opening, and a sample carrier handling device arranged within the transfer chamber for moving the sample carrier between the storing position and the examination position.